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Ruin

/ˈɹuː.ɪn/

(sometimes in the plural) The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Ruin"

noun

1
(sometimes in the plural) The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
2
The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
"The monastery has fallen into ruin."
3
Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
"Gambling has been the ruin of many."
4
A fall or tumble.

verb

1
To cause the fiscal ruin of.
"With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!"
2
To destroy or make something no longer usable.
"He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them."
3
To cause severe financial loss to; to bankrupt or drive out of business.
"The crooked stockbroker's fraudulent scheme ruined dozens of victims; some investors lost their life savings and even their houses."
4
To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.
"My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation."

🔄 Synonyms of "Ruin"

10 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
breakverb	(ergative, transitive, intransitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly.
desolationnoun	The state of being desolated or laid waste
ruinationnoun	The state of being ruined, a state of devastation or destruction.
devastationnoun	The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.
destroyverb	(ambitransitive) To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
dilapidationnoun	The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.
bankruptverb	(finance, of a person, company, etc.) In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay outstanding debts or meet financial obligations; specifically, having been legally declared insolvent.
wreckingnoun	The act by which something is wrecked.
ruiningnoun	The act or process by which something is ruined.
laying wastenoun	destruction achieved by wrecking something

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Ruin"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
ruinationnoun	The state of being ruined, a state of devastation or destruction.
destroyverb	(ambitransitive) To damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
wreckingnoun	The act by which something is wrecked.
devastationnoun	The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.
dilapidationnoun	The state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined.
desolationnoun	The state of being desolated or laid waste
breakverb	(ergative, transitive, intransitive) To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly.
bankruptverb	(finance, of a person, company, etc.) In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay outstanding debts or meet financial obligations; specifically, having been legally declared insolvent.
laying wastenoun	destruction achieved by wrecking something
wrecknoun	(transitive) To destroy violently; to cause severe damage to something, to a point where it no longer works, or is useless.
wreckagenoun	Something wrecked, especially the remains or debris of something which has been severely damaged or destroyed.
devastateverb	To ruin many or all things over a large area, such as most or all buildings of a city, or cities of a region, or trees of a forest.
disrepairnoun	The state of being in poor condition, in need of repair.
havocnoun	Widespread devastation and destruction.
ravagesnoun	Harsh damage.
destructverb	(intransitive) To self-destruct.
downfallnoun	A precipitous decline in fortune; death or rapid deterioration, as in status or wealth.
destructionnoun	The act of destroying.
damagenoun	Injury or harm; the condition or measure of something not being intact.
decaynoun	(ecology, medicine) The process or result of being gradually decomposed; rot, decomposition.